Rice bean: An Important and Potential Crop of Northeastern Region of India

Rice bean [Vigna umbellate (Thumb) Ohwi & Ohshi] is an important legume crop grown in the Northeastern region of India in rainfed conditions. Rice bean has high nutritional quality, with good yield and can be used for multiple purposes such as food, animal feed, cover crop, green manure and as soil enricher. This potential and under-exploited legume crop is highly promising because of its economic importance as a source of rich protein as well as fodder and its ability to grow under tough environmentalconditions. Systematic research and development efforts are required to popularize the cultivation of Rice bean in all possible agro-climatic areas.